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Afghans in Limerick hold cultural evening
"IN THE name of Allah, you are welcome," greeted 17 year-old Monawara Noori, from southern Afghanistan in the City Library this Wednesday evening.
The first Afghan cultural evening in the city was organised by Doras Luimni, the local support group for asylum seekers and refugees.
While presidential and provincial elections in Afghanistan began this week amid increasing violence, the evening was strictly intended to be "free from any political motivations."
There are more than 120 Afghan people living in Limerick, many of whom had been forced to live their homes due to the war.
A large proportion are refugees and asylum seekers, residing in the Knockalisheen centre, just beyond the Limerick border, and the former Hanratty's hotel on Glentworth Street.
While they were welcomed at the Granary for an evening of Afghan music, food and poetry, many people professed to not feeling very comfortable in Limerick initially.
Ahmad Mohammad, who hails from the troubled Helmand province in south west Afghanistan, left his home three years ago due to the conflict. His mother still lives there, but his father and brother were killed in the conflict.
"At first it was very hard to live here. It was a new culture, a new society. Everything is new. But I've learned a lot," said Mr Mohammad, who has refugee status.
The 30 year-old initially worked for Dell, but having since lost his job, he is preparing to sit the Leaving Certificate.
"I think everyone would like to go back to their home country. One day, if the troops go out, then yes, I would like to go back," he said.
While the contrast between the Catholic and Muslim faiths, prevents social integration from taking place in a public house, many Afghans living here are determined to integrate with locals through different means.
Ms Noori, who came to Limerick with her sister, said there are few social outlets for them in the community.
Dressed in a blue punjabi and cream kitten heels, she represented the advancement of many Muslim women, who are embracing the fashions of the West while maintaining their own core beliefs.
Abed Aldakar has been recently appointed as the new integration and intercultural officer at Doras Luimni, situated beside the Redemptorist Church at Mount St Alphonsus.
Mr Aldakar, a dual citizen of Syria-Lebanon and Ireland, believes there are many stereotypes and misconceptions about Afghan people, which have been asserted in the media and is negatively impacting on their lives here.
"We didn't even mention the elections tonight because we didn't want to get involved in anything political about Afghanistan.
"They get a lot of negative comments. Many (Irish] people are very understanding and very welcoming, but some people are very negative. From my experience, a lot of Afghan people are really lovely people. They are very open and honest," he said.
A number of Afghan people from Dublin also attended the cultural evening.
Doras Luimni are also preparing to hold 'Brazil Day' in the Parkway Shopping Centre in early September, which will be held in partnership with the local communities.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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